Choose Your Own Adventure: Yorkville

For our first "Choose Your Own Adventure" column, we'll start local.  Yorkville is near both the Marriott and Intercontinental.  It was a hippie haven in the 60s, but is now home to some of the most upscale shopping.  

The basic boundaries of Yorkville are Bloor Street to the south, Davenport Road to the north, Avenue Road to the west and Yonge Street to the east.  

Bloor Street has many pricey chain retailers, such as Tiffany's, Rolex, LuluLemon, Roots, and Holt Renfrew (Canada's Saks Fifth Avenue).  If it's too hot or rainy, you can seek refuge in one of the indoor shopping arcades, such as the Manulife Centre or Holt Renfrew Centre.  Many of these arcades are connected at the cellar level, so you can travel along Bloor Street between Bay Street and Yonge Street underground!

North of Bloor Street, the blocks are smaller and most of the shopping is boutique-y, with vintage stores, galleries, and places to spoil your dog.  You can window-shop here to your heart's content.  There are also many nice restaurants and several pubs/clubs in this area.

The Village of Yorkville Park, located on Cumberland Street is a really great example of an urban parkette.  If it's sunny, eat out here or just hang out on the giant rock.  

Here are some of our favorite locations in Yorkville:

Bar: Hemingways (142 Cumberland Street).  Really chill, decent bar food, and a rooftop patio.

Restaurant (Casual): Eggstasy (1255 Bay Street).  Great breakfast spot with plenty of egg options - plus you get to pick your own sides!

Restaurant (Fancy): Sassafraz (100 Cumberland Street).  Okay, we've never eaten here as it's REALLY fancy and expensive.  But it's a Toronto landmark.  Great for a big splurge.

Shopping: Roots (100 Bloor Street West).  Most of their clothing is either athletic wear or lounge wear.  Kind of pricey because it's sweatshop-free, but they have great sales.  And you can return to the States with a snazzy "Roots Canada" hoodie from their flagship store.

Boutiques in Yorkville.

Village of Yorkville Park.

Another picture of the park.

Cumberland Street, including Sassafraz (Yellow Building).